What are my monitoring options?

[whenhenshaveteeth]

Hi,

I'm likely to be induced as I was with DS since I had OC.

Ideally, I'd have a lovely unmedicalised water birth but because of my history I know I have to prepare myself.

Last time, I was on the drip and was lying down my back strapped to the drip and two different monitors on my belly. It wasn't ideal and it pissed me off so much that I ripped it all off (so I'm told) during the second stage.

This time I'd like to minimise being attached to stuff but I don't really know what my options are. I know of the clip they can put on the baby's head but it sounds awful! My lively MW assured me it was not painful but I can't get my head round it.

So what else? Can I be monitored but still active? Could I use the pool or is that a complete no-no?

Not got personal experience, but from what I've read, it depends on what sort of induction you have. I believe (subject to individual hospital policy obviously) that continual monitoring is only necessary when having a drip, if you can have a 'lower' level of induction eg pessary, you can just have intermittent monitoring.

Re water birth, I think they can be a bit unhappy about it but again, I'd personally argue if you are willing to get out whenever monitoring is required, I don't see how there could be a problem with it. My hospital told me if I had to be induced the pool was ruled out. I queried it and they couldn't give me a reason, luckily I didn't need induction in the end anyway

Thanks Rockchick.

The MW reckons that because it's my second baby I might get away with just the pessary or my waters being broken or the sweep. Last time I had the lot but DS wouldn't come out - mind you, they did the sweep and pessary me in the evening and during the night, which meant I was in bed and motionless; they also only waited 1h to put me on the drip after breaking my waters.

Maybe that's another thing I could query and delay without being silly and putting DS2 in any danger of course.

I want to be in control of my giving birth this time but I'm finding it hard to know what my options are...